Leadership

Vice President Derek R. Kindle
Derek R. Kindle is the vice president for Student Services and Enrollment Management at the University of Oregon, where he leads a multifaceted team of nearly 1,500 professionals across a division that includes Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Registrar, Housing and Dining, Orientation, Strategic Communications, and Research and Assessment. In this role, Derek is responsible for shaping and executing the university’s strategic enrollment vision, with a focus on access, student success, and institutional excellence.
With 25 years of experience in higher education, Derek brings a proven track record of innovation, collaboration, and results. Prior to joining the UO, he served as Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There, he led efforts that resulted in the university’s largest, most diverse, and academically competitive incoming classes. He co-launched the nationally recognized Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Lab and raised nearly $95 million to support need-based financial aid and strategic enrollment initiatives.
Derek’s leadership is defined by his commitment to increasing access, leveraging talent and data for decision-making, and fostering cross-campus collaboration. He has designed and implemented programs that have expanded scholarship opportunities, streamlined student services, and improved outcomes across the student lifecycle. His work has been recognized for aligning enrollment practices with institutional mission and values, while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion.
He currently serves or has recently served on several national boards and advisory groups, including The College Board, the Higher Education Loan Coalition, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and the American Talent Initiative. He also co-led the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) CHIEFS program for new and continuing enrollment leaders and serves as faculty member for the Enrollment Management Certificate Program at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.
Derek earned both his bachelor of arts in legal communications (summa cum laude) and master of arts in organizational communication from Howard University. He is widely respected for his ability to lead with intention and authenticity, and for his dedication to transforming higher education to better serve all students.
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Nestled in the lush Willamette Valley between rivers, the Pacific Ocean, and the Cascade Mountains, you will find the University of Oregon. We are located in the funky and friendly city of Eugene, on an arboretum-like campus that is home to 22,000 brilliant students.
We are renowned for our research prowess and innovation yet grounded in history that we are constantly learning from. Throughout our seven undergraduate schools and colleges we offer more than 300 programs, all challenging our students to think critically, creatively, and globally.
We believe in respect, inclusion conversation, and collaboration, and we are always interested in diverse perspectives. We have saying which you can only understand once you are here—there’s just something about this place. Come discover it for yourself.